Whiffletree-clip



- (No Model.)

F. W. HOEFER.

WHIFPLETREE CLIP.

No. 379,869. Patented Mar. 20, 1888.

with 55555. Imm-mm R.

Awww" UNrTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK IV. HOEFER, OF FLORENCE, ILLINOIS.

WHIFFLETREE-CLIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part o Letter/sv Patent No. 379,869, dated March 20, 1888.

Serial N0. 245.167.

(No model.)

.To all 107mm/ it may concern:

Beit known that I, FREDERICK W. HOE- FER, a resident of Florence, in the county of Stephenson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vhiffletree Attachments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l shows the middle portion of a whiiiietree with my devices in place thereon. Fig. 2 shows the same seen in the direction ofthe arrow of Fig. l, one portion of the device displaced. Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section, looking in the same direction as on Fig. 2. Figs. Ll, 5 show, separately, the rings of Fig. I.

In all the drawings, A is the body of the whiffletree, having about its middle portion the open fer-rule B, with which is formed integrally a ring, C, for attaching it to a clevis or chain. The ring is provided with a depression in its upper surface, in which fits a second ring', D, which is intended to receive all the wear of the clevis or chain. The ring shown in Fig. 2 as in position to drop into the depression in the ring C just fills the depression when in place andis retained by bending over its edge two or more of a series of lugs, E, rising near its edge from the surface of the outer ring. As shown at F, Fig. 3, the inner diameter ofthe ring I) is less than that of the ring C, and it may therefore be readily driven out of the depression from below if the force applied be sufiicient to break or straighten the bent lugs. It is thus driven out when ma terially weakened by wearing at the point G- and turned horizontally through angular space occupied by one of the equal curves of its crenated outer margin and replaced in the depression. Otheil lugs may then be in like manner bent over ils edge to retain it until wear makes another like change desirable. The lugs are shown as double the number of sides of the ring D,and therefore two lugs may be removed at each change of position above described; but in actual use this is not necessary usually, for as both the ring and its seat are slightly conical one side of the ring may be driven out without materially injuring the diametrically-Opposite lug. In practice, too,

the lugs may be made very short, since, both lugs and ring being of metal,the slightest projection over the rings edge retains itwith suf icient security against accidental blows-the only force tending to displace it.

The ring D may evidently be of different forms-e. g., a regular heXagon, or a dodccagon with equal sides and alternate angles reentrant, and it will still possess nearly the same strength and durability and will be equivalent in operation. The ferrule B is formed of two similarI lips, B B, which may be varied in curvature to lit the middle of any whiiiietree. Vhen these lips have been drawn closely against the wood, nails, screws, or rivets are inserted through the apertures I I', Fig. l,

firmly securing the whole upon the Whiiiietree.'

The entire device, except the ring D, is formed from malleable iron or similar material in substantially the form shown and requires no fitting whatever'.

The ring D may be of iron or steel and somewhat harder than the remainder of the device.

Vhat I desire to secure by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims:

l. The combination ofthe ring C, having an annular depression of regular but noncircular outline in one 0f its sides, the ring D, adapted to tit into said depression, and the lugs E, adapted to be bent over the ring Dand retain it in position,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the body of a whitlietree, of a ring adapted for attaching the whiffletree to a chain orclevis and having integrallyformed wings or hooks B, bent oppositely about said body, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the body of a whiffletrce, of the perforated hooks B B, the ring C, formed integrally with said hooks, the ring D, adapted to lit a regular non-circular depression in the ring C, and the retaininglugs E, substantially as shown and described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK XV. HOEFER.

Vitnesses:

H. S. WEBSTER, JN0. B. TAYLOR.

IOO 

